09 DECEMBER 2016

Garcia Excited About Puerto Rican Debut

WBC and WBA light welterweight ChampDanny "Swift" Garciawill kickoff his 2014 campaign with one of the most important fights of his career when he defends his title againstMauricio Herreraat the Coliseo Ruben Rodriguezin Bayamon, Puerto Rico on March 15.

The bout is the main event of a Showtime Championship Boxing event doubleheader.

Although Garcia is a proud Philadelphian his roots are firmly planted in Puerto Rico, of which he is fiercely proud.

"This is going to be a night I will remember forever, and I plan on giving the fans a show they won’t forget," said Garcia, a Philadelphia native of Puerto Rican descent. "I’m a proud Puerto Rican, and even though Herrera is a tough challenger, there is no way I’m losing in Puerto Rico. This is definitely one of the most important bouts of my professional career for my whole family. I can’t wait for March 15."

"I’ve waited a long time for a fight like this, and while I know Garcia is the favorite, I won’t be underestimated," said Herrera, who dispatched world champion Ruslan Provodnikov in 2011. "I love the underdog role and I’m going to shock the world on March 15."

"I had a good year in 2013, but 2014 is going to be my biggest and best yet," said Wilder, the promising heavyweight who has knocked out all of his 30 opponents in his six year pro career. "It all starts with Malik Scott, and I respect his skill and experience, but by the end of the night, this is business."

"You can’t deny what Wilder’s done in the ring so far, and he’s got a bright future," said Scott, an experienced heavyweight out of Philadelphia. "But we have to put our friendship aside on March 15, and it’s going to be a great fight."

"Danny Garcia and his father Angel have told me how much that a fight in Puerto Rico would mean to them, and it’s going to be an emotional night for them," said Richard Schaefer, CEO of Golden Boy Promotions. "When you mix Danny’s desire to put on a great performance in Puerto Rico and Mauricio Herrera’s hunger for a world title together, this is going to be a fight and night to remember. Plus, we have the most exciting heavyweight in the world, Deontay Wilder, taking on a tough challenger in Malik Scott. If Deontay wins this fight, he can’t be denied much longer for a world title fight."